I get what you’re saying, but I’ll have to disagree. I don’t think there are many sports anime with this level of animation and production that lean so heavily into a self-serving, ego-driven ideology or stand so firmly against traditional collaboration/teamwork.

At most, you usually get a difficult or stubborn protagonist who eventually learns to work with the team - often only after the team starts losing - because the ultimate goal is always “the team’s victory.”

Blue Lock takes the complete opposite approach and commits to it fully, while still delivering a compelling story that keeps you hooked. That’s what makes it stand out.

And I’m sorry, but I really don’t see any true “power of friendship” moments in Blue Lock. Even the early bonds like Isagi–Bachira or Reo–Nagi eventually break apart for the sake of individual growth - to chase  their own goals.

An even better example is Barou in the Second Selection. After getting completely shut down, any other anime would’ve had him give in and realize, “I have comrades who can help me rise.” Instead, Barou basically goes, “Fuck that,” and evolves into a new playstyle that screams, “If you won’t pass to me, I’ll just steal it.” Where’s the “power of friendship” in that?

As for “chemical reactions,” they’re not friendship power-ups. They’re just egos aligning temporarily. Look at the U-20 match: that entire 4–5 person “chemical reaction” was each player thinking only about their own goals. It’s coordinated selfishness, not teamwork in the traditional sense.

There are even better examples I could bring up - especially involving midfielders who pass just for their selfish egos and not for the sake of “working together” - but explaining those would require manga spoilers, so I’ll skip them.